HBP Game to be Designed With Wii In Mind; New Trailer

IGN has more news concerning the Half-Blood Prince video game today. The first big news is that the game is being developed with Wii controls in mind first, and then ported to other systems. The preview goes on to discuss the Wii controls, in more detail than we've seen previously. You can read the full article here.

In addition, the preview include a new trailer for the video game, which you can watch (scroll down).

New HBP Video Game Screenshots from E3

As many of you already know, the big gaming conference E3 is being held this week. A few new screenshots from the game are now avaiable to view over at IGN from E3.

Also, being the nerd that I am, I have spotted the Harry Potter logo in the background in the background of some of the video footage that has been airing on G4. If anyone has any information on a possible booth or demo, please contact us at theowlery dot org at gmail dot com.

HBP Video Game Due November 14th?

The officially Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince video game website launched today. Of note, the website lists the game's release date as November 14, 2008, rather than the previous November 21st release date. We'll update when we learn more.

HBP Video Game Trailer Released

In addition to all the Half-Blood Prince movie news, there is some Half-Blood Prince video game news today as well. Electronic Arts had released a trailer for the HBP video game, which you can view via this link (new stills from the trailer, also included).

An new interview with the developers of the game is also now online.

Y!: Have any of the cast been involved in the game's production? Are they providing voices?

CR: Yes. Many of the movie cast lend their voices to the game (including Rupert Grint - who plays Ron Weasley, Tom Felton - who plays Draco Malfoy, and Evanna Lynch - who plays Luna Lovegood).

Y!: Which locations from the movie or book will we be able to visit?

CR: We are really pleased to confirm that as a player you will have the opportunity to explore all of Hogwarts, from the Boathouse right through to the brand new Astronomy Tower, plus key locations such as The Burrow and The Horcrux Cave.

Y!: Romance is a big theme in Half-Blood Prince. Are you planning to capture those elements in the game?

CR: Yes we are. We are focusing on the trials and tribulations of Ron Weasley, and also the developing relationship between Harry and Ginny Weasley.

Y!: Will we be able to roam freely around the game, like we could in Order of the Phoenix?

CR: Yes. Hogwarts is even bigger than last time -- you can find lots of new areas in the castle grounds -- and you can roam at will.

Y!: When will the game be out -- and on what platforms?

CR:Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be released around the same time as the movie and will be available on the following platforms: Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft X360, Nintendo DS, Sony PSP, PC, Macintosh and Mobile.

The Half-Blood Prince video game website will launch tomorrow.

HBP Wii Video Game Preview Online

Electronic Arts has met up with Kotaku to preview for the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince video game that's due out later this year. The article describes how some of Wii controls work in the game:

Actually, the first part of the demo let me try out the potion-mixing minigame; you've got a bubbling cauldron and a desk full of ingredients like little vials, bottles, leeches and caterpillars, and symbol-based instructions for each step of the potion-making scroll up in a little wheel to the screen's right. A potion-making sim was a first for me, and I exploded the thing a few times, but it was mostly pretty fun, especially when you can tilt the Wii remote to spill a beaker's contents into the cauldron and then make a stirring motion to whirl it up until the color changes. It's all timed and ranks your precision, which was pretty fun.

Then, Bunney and I went at it with a Wii remote wand duel. He was playing Draco Malfoy and I was Harry. We faced off at either end of a long room, and you hold up the Wii remote to charge your wand for a powerful attack (leaving you undefended), or simply shake the remote in your opponent's direction to fire off a series of quick bursts.

You use the Nunchuk to move side to side, and swinging both Wii remote and Nunchuk across your body causes you to produce a deflection shield that can send your opponent's projectiles right back at him. Shaking both produces a special attack that can knock your opponent down or stun him.

New HBP Video Game Still; August Release Date False

Electronic Arts has updated the Russian version of their website with a new video game still (no doubt from a cut scene) from the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince video game.

The website also notes that the came may be released in early August despite former announcements that the game would be released closer to the film's release in November. However, EA has since announced that this release date is false and that the game is still set for a November release.

First HBP Video Game Screenshot

Electronic Arts' Casual Entertainment Label and Warner Bros. officially announced, as expected, their plans to work on the video game adaption of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. In a press release today.

“We believe that the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince video game represents a milestone in the movie tie-in genre,” said Harvey Elliott, Head of EA Bright Light studio in the UK. “Building on the technological advancements of previous games in the series and with a particular focus on the unique control system of Nintendo’s WiiTM, the team here is working closely with the filmmakers to create an immersive interactive experience that captures the story, the action, the excitement and, above all, the fun of the film. ”

“Working with EA, we look forward to offering fans a compelling Harry Potter video game, one which captures the thrilling storyline and high visual quality of the movie,” said Scott Johnson, Vice President, Business Development for Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “The adherence to the rich fiction is a trademark of this franchise and with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince fans will experience the most authentic and enjoyable game in the series to date.”

The article also reveals that the game will feature the return of Qudditch to the video game franchise:

In the game of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, players will return to Hogwarts to help Harry survive a fraught sixth year. They will also have a chance to engage in exciting wizard duels, mix and brew magical ingredients in Potions class and take to the air to lead the Gryffindor Quidditch team to victory. Players may even get sidetracked by Ron’s romantic entanglements as they journey towards a dramatic climax and discover the identity of the Half-Blood Prince.

The article also features the first screenshot from the game, which you can view here.